Tell Congress: Protect our National Parks

Yellowstone, Gettysburg, the Statue of Liberty and the Everglades are among the many national parks that we -- as Americans -- fund to celebrate our natural wonders and commemorate history for all to see.

But the continued maintenance and staffing of our parks is in jeopardy.

Right now, Congress is making critical decisions about next year’s budget and our national parks are at risk for additional budget cuts.

National parks are already underfunded. The last budget cut funding even further, and the threat of deeper cuts is very real. While we all agree that we must find creative ways to reduce our national debt, cutting funding for national parks -- which occupies just 1/13 of one percent of the federal budget -- is not the way to do it.

Our national parks not only protect America’s heritage; they are important to local economies nationwide. Research shows that every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least four dollars of economic value for the American people. National parks support more than $13 billion of local private-sector economic activity and nearly 270,000 private-sector jobs.

The federal government has a responsibility to keep our national parks adequately funded, and it is up to us to make sure they fulfill it.

Yellowstone, Gettysburg, the Statue of Liberty and the Everglades are among the many national parks that we -- as Americans -- fund to celebrate our natural wonders and commemorate history for all to see. Our parks are treasures, and yet they occupy just one-thirteenth of one percent of the federal budget. That is quite a bargain for a system of national parks we can all enjoy and be inspired by.

Unfortunately, Congress has been cutting the Park Service's already minuscule budget. It has to stop. Not only will continued cuts mean a reduction in ranger staffing, but they will also mean the parks won't be adequately maintained. This is not how we should treat the prized lands and sacred areas where we reflect on our history.

As your constituent, I respectfully ask that you prevent additional cuts to funding for the National Park Service in FY12.